Antonio captures 3rd Orbe online chess

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GRANDMASTER Rogelio Antonio, Jr. continued his impressive performance by winning the third leg of the Cesar Orbe Memorial Chess 960 online series last April 8.

Antonio finished in a six-way tie for first place with 8.5 points out of 11 games, but emerged as the overall champion by virtue of the highest tiebreak score in this tournament organized by Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe in honor of his father.

The 58-year-old pride of Calapan, Oienral Mindoro, finished ahead of FM Arden Reyes, who took the silver and Ellan Asuela who got the bronze.

"Thank you, Lord. I’m very happy to win this tournament for the second time in three editions," said Antonio, a 13-time Philippine Open champion and the country's third GM after Eugene Torre and Rosendo Balinas, Jr.

Overall, Antonio took the solo lead in the series standings with 10 points, two points ahead of ASEAN Para Games multiple gold medalist FM Sander Severino

GM Darwin Laylo and Arden Reyes shared third to fourth places with three points.

NM Rolzon Roullo, Narquingel Reyes and Ellan Asuela all have two points Antonio topped the first leg last March 25, while Severino ruled the second leg last April 1.

Severino, a native of Silay City, Negros Occidental, also finished runner-up to Antonio in the first leg "Congratulations to the winners of the 3rd edition of the Cesar Orbe Memorial Chess 960 Series. The players fought like lions all throughout the tournament, like elite gladiators clashing in the great colosseum in Rome," said Orbe in his Facebook post.

Supporting the online chess competitikn are the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by Chairman/President Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), led by Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.